Credit: Matt Stone

The last time the Red Sox called on Thursday's scheduled starter, he gave up seven straight runs without recording a single out.

It’s been a strange journey for Jalen Beeks.

A 12th-round pick out of the University of Arkansas in 2014, Beeks had a nondescript minor league career until 2017, when his strikeout rate jumped more than two batters per nine innings and his ERA fell to 3.29 over two levels between Double-A and Triple-A.

Beeks got invited to spring training early this year and made two solid starts leading into his third start on March 10, when there was rain in the forecast and the Red Sox didn’t want to risk it with David Price, so they asked Beeks to start on the road against the Twins.

The first seven batters he faced reach base.

“That was a tough start,” Beeks recalled yesterday when speaking with reporters in the Fenway Park dugout. “Didn’t record an out. That’s not exactly how you want it to go. (Manager Alex Cora) just told me, ‘You’re a big leaguer. You have the stuff. Keep pitching. Keep doing what you’re doing.’ I listened to that. I just tried to be more consistent with what I’m doing every day.”

But ever since that third and final spring training start, Beeks has been pitching at another level. He’s leading the International League in strikeouts with 80 (the next closest is former Red Sox prospect Michael Kopech with 70) in just 56-⅓ innings. He’s walked only 14 batters and has a 2.56 ERA.

“I think my delivery has gotten better this year, so I think each of my pitches have gotten better,” he said. “I’ve had all four of my pitches in each game better. I’ve actually diversified, evened out my percentages throwing each pitch, not overusing any of them.”

Beeks isn’t an intimidating figure at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, nor is his stuff overpowering. His fastball sits in the low 90s and he mixes in a breaking ball and a changeup. But the Red Sox have appreciated the way in which he’s pitched, showing maturity beyond his 24 years of age with his pitch mix and aggressiveness.

Beeks is making just a spot start on Thursday against the Detroit Tigers and will likely be sent back to the minors afterward. He represents their first line of pitching depth and could end up being an important piece down the road.

“Like I told them that first day we met, pitchers and catchers, it takes more than 25 guys to win a World Series,” Cora said. “It takes more than the 40 man roster to win the whole thing.”

It’s been a special moment for the rookie.

“I have a wife and two kids, they will for sure be here,” Beeks said. “We live right down the road. My parents, my granddad, I’m guessing like 15 others, but I don’t know. I’m leaving that to my wife.”